After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

"However," Xie Jinchen changed the subject, his tone still calm, but with a hint of negotiation, "since what the young lady needs is medicine, not gold or silver."

"Shouldn't this agreement of one night per month have some additional safeguards?"

He pulled back, leaned back in his chair, and resumed his aloof and dignified demeanor, but his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Dusheng's face:

"For example...shouldn't the girl also prove that she truly has the ability to find what I'm looking for?"

He didn't believe her nonsense at all, but he keenly grasped the key point.

She had a desire, and what she desired was unique and resided within herself.

This is the source of his confidence to negotiate with her.

She can use him, but she must demonstrate real strength and sincerity.

Jiang Dusheng understood the hidden meaning in his words.

He didn't question the truth or the reasons, but rather keenly sensed that he had gained leverage.

A hint of admiration flashed in Jiang Dusheng's eyes. This was the first intelligent person she had met since she came down the mountain.

She prefers to associate with intelligent people, as it saves her a lot of trouble.

"Sure," she readily agreed. "How would the Crown Prince like to test my abilities?"

Xie Jinchen paused, "It's simple. Three days from now, you will come with me to a place. If you can solve the problems there, our cooperation will begin according to the conditions you proposed."

This is a test.

Jiang Dusheng met his gaze without flinching.

"Okay. Location, time."

"I will send someone to pick up the girl then."

Jiang Dusheng raised an eyebrow slightly, not dwelling on the details, and simply replied, "Okay."

With the business settled for the time being, the waiter brought out the exquisite pastries we had just ordered.

The steamed chestnut flour cake with osmanthus sugar is crystal clear, the rose shortbread is layered like petals, the almond and Buddha's hand citron is fragrant, and there is a plate of white pearl glutinous rice balls in a small celadon bowl, steaming with wisps of heat.

Xie Jinchen gestured, his tone returning to the usual gentle and refined manner of a young master from a prominent family, "The pastry chef here is quite skilled; perhaps you would like to try some, young lady."

Jiang Dusheng was indeed a bit hungry, so he only had some congee and side dishes this morning.

Without being polite, she picked up her silver chopsticks, took a piece of chestnut flour cake, and savored it in small bites.

Her movements remained refined, yet she lacked the excessive restraint often associated with young women, displaying a natural and genuine charm.

The pastries were sweet but not cloying, melting in her mouth, and a look of satisfaction flashed in her eyes.

Xie Jinchen did not pick up his chopsticks, but instead picked up his teacup and gazed at her profile as she ate quietly.

After a moment, he spoke as if casually, "Miss Jiang, you were practicing asceticism at the Buddhist temple, why did you suddenly decide to leave the mountain and return to secular life?"

Jiang Dusheng paused almost imperceptibly while chewing.

She sighed silently to herself. Just a moment ago she thought it would be easier to talk to smart people.

At that moment, she suddenly felt a little annoyed.

Dealing with these clever people with their twisted and complex minds is indeed more exhausting than facing a vengeful ghost.

She slowly put down the silver chopsticks in her hand, gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a plain handkerchief, and then raised her eyes to look at Xie Jinchen.

His gaze was clear and piercing, devoid of emotion, yet it caused Xie Jinchen's fingertips to pause slightly.

"Young Master Xie," she began, her voice calm, "how did you know I'm the eldest daughter of the Jiang family?"

She asked directly.

Xie Jinchen met her clear yet scrutinizing gaze, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

The smile was faint, yet it dispelled some of the aloofness that usually graced his face, instead revealing a sense of knowing "as expected."

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and then said slowly:

"Having returned from the Buddhist order, and coincidentally surnamed Jiang. Within this Changling City, someone who fits both of these criteria..."

He put down his teacup and met her gaze. "Besides the eldest daughter of Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Rites, who was raised in a temple since childhood, I really can't think of anyone else."

His deduction was reasonable and almost flawless.

The powerful and influential circle in Changling was neither too big nor too small; even the slightest movement could be noticed by those with ulterior motives.

Although the return of the Jiang family's daughter was not a grand affair, it was not difficult for someone of the Zhenguo Duke's mansion to find out.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Dusheng showed neither panic at being exposed nor embarrassment at having his identity revealed; he simply let out a soft hum from his nose.

The voice was very soft, carrying a hint of barely perceptible annoyance, creating a subtle contrast to her usual aloof demeanor.

She suddenly stood up and turned to leave.

"Miss Jiang, aren't you going to eat?" Xie Jinchen asked, watching her movements, his tone revealing no emotion.

Jiang Dusheng paused, then replied in a lazy, drawn-out tone, "Thank you, Your Highness. I don't like dining with intelligent people."

After saying that, she didn't linger and walked straight out of the private room.

But... as she left, her sleeves fluttered, and she casually picked up an untouched rose shortbread, her gesture as natural as if she were picking a flower from her own garden.

Wang Dazhuang quickly swallowed his saliva and hurriedly followed. Before leaving, he secretly glanced at the remaining pastries on the table, his eyes full of reluctance.

He wanted to eat too…

Yi Che stared in disbelief as Jiang Dusheng left, even taking a pastry with him.

Xie Jinchen stared in the direction she had just left, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly a slight smile appeared on his lips, and he chuckled softly.

The smile was unlike its usual indifference and sharpness; instead, it carried a hint of discovering something interesting.

He turned his head and gave instructions to the guards who had been standing by the door:

"Go and have the waiter carefully wrap up these untouched pastries. You personally deliver them to Miss Jiang."

He paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and added, "And tell her..."

The guards listened with their heads bowed.

Xie Jinchen tapped his fingertips lightly on the edge of the table, his tone returning to its usual calm, but the content of his words made Yi Che's eyes widen once again:

"I'll tell you... next time, I'll try to be someone who isn't very smart."

"Yes." The guard accepted the order and immediately turned to carry it out.

"Ah Chen!"

Yi Che could hardly believe his ears. He jumped up, heartbroken.

"Wake up! Her demands just now clearly indicated she wanted to take advantage of you! You, a dignified young master, how could you go out of your way to bring her snacks, and even say such things! If word gets out..."

Xie Jinchen finally turned his gaze to him. His eyes were calm, but they made Yi Che choke instantly, as if he had become some rare object being looked at.

Then, he heard Xie Jinchen speak slowly and deliberately:

"Yi Che".

"Um?"

"You reminded me. Next time, I should play dumb in front of her to ease the tension..."

Xie Jinchen spoke earnestly, as if imparting some key secret: "You need to know how to strike a balance."

Yi Che was taken aback: "Huh? What do you mean?"

Xie Jinchen stood up, straightened his sleeves, walked past him, and left with a light, casual remark:

"I can pretend to be an oblivious idiot, but I can't... pretend to be a real fool like you."

After saying that, he walked out of the private room with a calm step, leaving Yi Che standing there in a daze for several seconds before he suddenly realized what had happened.

His handsome face flushed crimson as he growled at the empty doorway:

"Xie Jinchen! Who are you calling an idiot?!"

Outside the restaurant, the spring sunshine was just right.

Jiang Dusheng hadn't gone far when he heard steady footsteps behind him.

Xie Jinchen's guards quickly caught up, presenting a delicate bamboo food box with both hands, and bowed, saying:

"Miss Jiang, my young master ordered my men to deliver this. He also said..."

He repeated the sentence meticulously.